Stuffing Recipe Mix-Ins

Say goodbye to boring stuffing forever. With these creative mix-ins, your dressing will never be dull again. You can use any recipe as a base for these mix-ins, or try my basic turkey stuffing recipe. All of the quantities below are for 16 cups of bread cubes:

Don't Miss: Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

1. Pears - Peel and slice two pears into thin strips, and saute in 2 Tbsp. butter until softened.


2. Sweetened Dried Cranberries - Stir in 1 cup.


3. Apples - Peel and chop 2 large Granny Smith, Jonagold or other cooking apples into chunks. Saute in 2 Tbsp. butter until softened.


4. Sausage - Add 1 lb. bulk sausage or, if using link sausage, remove casings, crumble and brown.


5. Mushrooms - Brown 8 oz. sliced mushrooms in 1 Tbsp. butter.


6. Pecans - Spread 1 cup chopped pecans in an even layer in a dry skillet. Toast until fragrant. Watch them carefully: Nuts can burn quickly.


7. Chopped Dates - Stir 1 cup into stuffing.


8. Caramelized Onions - Cut 1 large yellow onion into slices. Heat 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onions, and cook until golden brown, about 25 minutes.


9. Bacon - Cook 8 oz. bacon until crisp. Crumble into stuffing.


10. Walnuts - Stir 1 cup of plain or toasted walnut halves or chopped walnuts into stuffing. This makes a nice pairing with the apples, raisins and/or dates, too.


11. Butternut Squash - Peel squash, and cut into 1-inch chunks. You will need about 2 cups (reserve the rest for another use). Season with salt and pepper, and toss with 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Roast in a 425-degree oven until soft, but not mushy, about 30 minutes.


12. Ham - Stir in 1 cup chopped smoked ham.


13. Raisins - Stir in 1 cup. This goes well with apples and walnuts.


14. Spinach and Artichokes - Stir in 1 10 oz. package spinach, thawed and squeezed dry. Add 1 cup chopped canned artichokes. Alternatively, thaw a package of frozen spinach artichoke dip in the microwave. Make sure it is not hot. Stir into stuffing mix. Proceed with the stuffing recipe as directed.


15. Fresh Herbs - Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme (yup - just like the song.


16. Hot Sauce - Add a few dashes to taste.


17. Cheese - Stir in 1 cup shredded Parmesan, cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.


18. Oysters - Stir in 8 oz. fresh or canned oysters, drained.


19. Tri-Pepper - Chop 1 cup red, green and yellow bell peppers, and saute in 1 Tbsp. olive oil until soft. Alternatively, seed and chop 2 jalapeno or serrano chili peppers, and saute in olive oil until soft. This goes well with cornbread stuffing.


20. Figs and Pine Nuts - Stir in 1 cup chopped dried figs and 1/2 cup of toasted pine nuts. Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes.


21. Chestnuts - Stir in 1 cup chopped dried canned chestnuts.

Don't Miss: Best Thanksgiving Recipes